Voltage-Current-Time Characteristic of Stabilized Zirconia with Point Contact Platinum Electrode in Argon Gas Ambient

Abstract

Voltage-current-time characteristic of stabilized zirconia with point contact platinum electrode was investigated in the temperature range of 480-650°C under Ar gas ambient. The applied voltage was chosen higher than 20 volts to give rise to deep polarization across the specimen. The current-time characteristic consisted of three stages. In the first stage of the characteristic the current increased slowly. Colored part gradually developed from cathode to anode. In this stage the ionic current predominated over the electronic current. The point at which the front of the colored part reached the anode was a transition to the second stage of characteristic, in which the rate of current increase was proportional to the current itself, where the current was of electronic behavior. Electrons thus injected were of the mobility by the order of 2×10^-6cm²/V⋅sec at 580°C indicating hopping mechanism. Finally the breakdown took place. The color arose from injection of electrons from cathode.